Flexible locking &amp; seismic hanging system

ABSTRACT

A flexible hanging system uses a compressive force-producing component such as an elastomeric cord or spring for locking an object on the wall. It makes use of simple brackets and an elastomeric cord. This cord provides compressive force and keeps the weight of the object on the hanger body. This elastomeric cord provides a flexible compressive force on the object and on the wall mounted hanger body. This compressive force normally locks the object so that it does not move or tilt due to normal vibrations. However, during severe vibrations, such as during a seismic event, the elastomeric spring forces allow the object to move and to counter the effects of the vibratory forces experienced by the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/837,635, filed May 4, 2004, which '635 application is incorporated by reference herein and which '635 application is a nonprovisional patent application of.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a system for hanging objects, such as pictures, mirrors, plaques, etc., on a surface so that they remain locked in place and are able to withstand the effects of an earthquake without falling off the wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Picture hanging devices are generally concerned with only overcoming the effects of gravity to hold an object on a wall. Some hanging devices have been developed for locking objects onto the hanger or onto a bracket mounted on a wall; however, they are somewhat complicated and sometimes require special tools. It would be useful to have the ability to quickly and easily hang an object so that it is locked in position on a wall. In certain areas earthquakes cause many objects hung on the wall to fall and become damaged during a seismic event. The locking of objects onto the wall cam mitigate this effect; and objects having a means for damping out the shock of the earthquake can further help in lessening the damage.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a useful means for hanging objects so that they are locked in position and have a shock-absorbing feature built into the hanging system. A system having a flexible shock-absorbing cord generating a simultaneous radial, horizontal and vertical compression feature is what is being proposed in this application.

Several embodiments of this system are possible however the simplest of these is being presented. It uses a wall mounted hanger body that has a flexible cord loop extending up and horizontally along the top of the hanger body. The flexible cord is stretched to go around screw heads that are protruding from the top back of the object. The screws are fastened to the object so that they are equidistant from the center of the object and are wider apart than the relaxed distance between the right and left sections of the flexible cord loop. The hanger body is longer than the distance between the screws and provides a downward limit for the object. The stretched cord provides radial, vertical, and horizontal compressive forces on the screws so that the object is held onto the top of the hanger body.

When outside forces are applied to the object it momentarily moves in the direction of the force then returns to the original position when the force is removed. This hanging system is able to counteract radial, vertical, and horizontal forces; as such it enables objects mounted on the hanger to withstand the effects of seismic induced movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view from the back surface of an object looking at the hanger with the flexible cord mounted on a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the hanging system 1 with hanger body 4 being a block of material affixed to the wall with screws 5A & 5B. Elastomeric cord 2 is knotted at 6A & 6B and goes through holes 7A & 7B in hanger body 4. The elastomeric cord 2 exits the top of hanger body 4 and is stretched to go around protruding screws 3A & 3B that are fastened to the object. The elastomeric cord 2 fits between the object and the heads of protruding screw heads 3A and 3B.

The stretched elastomeric cord 2 effectively locks the object onto the hanger 4 by the spring action of the cord. If the object receives a horizontal force the elastomeric cord 2 allows the object to be displaced and then to return to the initial position after the force has been removed. If the object receives an upward force it moves up and returns to the initial position after the force is removed. The hanger body 4 being in contact with screw heads 3A & 3B resists a downward force on the object. If the object is somehow pulled away from the wall in a radial direction the elastomeric cord 2 will again return the object to the initial position.

10 Transient seismic events will cause the object to move; however the spring action of the elastomeric cord keeps the object on the hanger.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in the above specification it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For instance, metal springs, or a combination of springs and non-stretching cord can replace the elastomeric cords; the hangers can be affixed to the object and brackets be affixed to the wall. 

1. A hanging system for supporting and locking an object into a wall comprising a hanger body configured to be affixed to a wall and further configured to hold an elastomeric cord such that it forms a stretchable loop on the top surface of said hanger body, whereby said stretchable loop is stretched around brackets affixed to the top of an object, whereby said brackets are held within the stretched loop and are forceably resting on the top of the hanger body for supporting and locking the object onto a wall.
 2. The hanging system of claim 1 wherein the brackets affixed to an object are protruding screw heads. 